PATHWAY CONNECTION

The Nursing Success Bootcamp Pilot, developed collaboratively by Atlantic Cape Community College and Camden County College, was created to improve student retention and completion rates in nursing programs by providing academic support prior to students entering their first nursing course. Recognizing the challenges students face in these demanding programs, both institutions implemented targeted academic interventions and coaching models tailored to their respective populations—Practical Nursing at Camden and Registered Nursing at Atlantic Cape.

At Camden County College, the 10-week summer bootcamp began with four weeks of foundational content, including medical terminology, infection control, and dosage calculation, designed to prepare students for the academic rigor of the Practical Nursing program. The remaining six weeks featured the ATI Launch program, which assessed and addressed academic readiness in key areas such as anatomy and physiology, basic math, reading and language skills, and study strategies. The nursing success specialist provided individualized academic coaching and tracked student performance throughout the bootcamp and into the students’ first nursing course (NUR 108). Data collection and outcome tracking are ongoing, with results expected to help guide future enhancements.

At Atlantic Cape Community College, the bootcamp effort was integrated with a broader academic success coaching model. Students reentering the RN program after academic setbacks and newly admitted students participated in group learning and one-on-one coaching. The academic coach addressed specific challenges including study habits, time management, test-taking skills, and use of available program resources. In Fall 2023 and Spring 2024, 91 students received individualized support, with measurable improvements in course completion rates. Notably, the first nursing course (N110) saw a 12.55% reduction in attrition, and course pass rates in other nursing courses exceeded 90%. A two-day, 8-hour Nursing Success Bootcamp was also delivered in Summer 2024, followed by guided use of the ATI Launch platform to reinforce core nursing concepts and academic preparedness.

Collectively, this pilot underscores the importance of early academic intervention, individualized coaching, and structured preparation in supporting nursing student success. Both colleges plan to use the data collected to refine and expand these efforts, making academic success coaching a more formalized and sustainable part of nursing education.